Page 19 of A Hatchling for Valentine’s

Kellan smiled at the handsome eagle shifter with the salt and pepper hair, his masculine face and bearing striking him as regal when they’d first met. He thought Dr. Arthur’s nephew seemed perfect for the position of fire chief.

“He’s my friend. Tell him we’re okay, but I’m waiting until Vic and the doctor get here before I’ll have any news. Your uncle told us that once the egg starts hatching that we can’t have people around it because of germs and stuff.”

Avi nodded. “I understand. Eagle eggs have the same issue. I’ll pass the word along. Some staff from the restaurant have been trying to angle their way in too.”

Kellan chuckled. “I’m sure you mean Dora and Skip. Tell everyone we’ll keep them updated.”

“Will do. If you need anything else before they get here, just holler.”

“Thanks, Avi.”

Once he’d left, Kellan returned his attention to the egg. The crack is getting bigger. Ever since he’d first realized their baby was on the way, that their little hatchling was trying to push their way out, he’d been trembling from the anticipation, but a thread of fear still nagged at him too. Come on, sweetie. You can do it. The possibility still existed that if the baby’s wolf didn’t know what to do or the hatching took too long, they’d have to take the egg to the hospital. He and Vic had already been warned about the risks involved in taking that route.

Raised voices could be heard near the front of the cabin, with Vic’s bellowing tone overriding the others. Kellan let out a long, slow breath. At last. It had probably only been about fifteen minutes since he’d spoken to him, but he needed his mate by his side. Even though their baby was doing all the work, he wanted Vic there holding his hand in reassurance.

The door flew open and Vic covered his mouth as if he’d startled himself. With a whispered ‘sorry’, he softly closed the door behind him. He tiptoed over to the bed then leaned over.

“Is-is that it?” Vic pointed to the tiny line at the top of the egg that had gone from being about one inch long to close to three. His voice was still whisper soft and he’d kept the end of his finger well away from actually touching the shell.

“Yes, it is. And you don’t have to whisper. I’ve been talking to the baby and encouraging him or her to come out.”

“Oh, okay.” Vic stared at the egg in wonder. “Should I do that too?”

“I think it’s a good idea. You know, swan hatchlings imprint on the first people they see, so it’s important that we’re both here.” Kellen tilted his head. “Do wolf babies do that too?”

Vic still hadn’t taken his eyes off the egg. “Well, it’s more about scent with wolves. But it can’t hurt.”

Vic tore his gaze away for barely a moment to grab the chair they kept in the bedroom and dragged it closer to the bed. Kellan frowned.

“Why are you doing that? Don’t you want to be on the bed with us?” Kellan found himself becoming more emotional than seemed reasonable over such a small thing.

“That’s okay? I don’t want to hurt it or… I don’t know.” Vic ran his fingers through his hair, his nervousness palpable. “It just hit me how clueless I am about everything. I want to be the best mate and father I can be, but I’m afraid I’ll screw it up.”

“Oh, Vic.” Kellan held out a hand to him. “Come sit with me.” He knew it had to have been hard for his proud and resilient Alpha mate to admit to such a thing. “Just being here and loving us is all you need to do.”

Vic accepted Kellan’s hand then lowered himself gingerly onto the mattress. He placed an arm around Kellan’s waist, pulling him closer until they were flush to each other.

“You’re so brave, sweetheart. I’ll always be here, protecting and loving you both. I promise.”

They touched their heads together and watched the egg in silence. After a few minutes, the egg jerked twice and the crack not only got longer, but a tad wider. They both gasped and leaned forward, examining the new development.

“I can’t see anything, just something filmy.” Vic’s brow was creased, and his eyes narrowed as he stared.

Kellan viewed the opening at different angles. “That’s the membrane, but maybe we can see the baby—” He slapped a hand to his mouth then pointed. “There! Did you see that? I saw…” He wasn’t a hundred percent sure what he saw, but it was something. “It might have been his hand, or maybe… an elbow?”

Vic arched his eyebrows as he regarded him. “His?”

Kellan shook his head, shrugging. “I don’t know. It just flew out of my mouth.”

The egg jerked some more, enough so that Kellan worried it might roll off the bed.

“Vic? You’d better—”

Before he’d completed the sentence, Vic had already rushed to the other side of the bed so that they were both framing the nest.

He let out a loud exhale. “Got it.”

Kellan chewed on his lip. Where’s Dr. Arthur? He’s taking forever.